New IDF Delegation to Depart to Haiti Monday

The IDF is sending an additional team to Haiti to help treat survivors of the earthquake disaster that has claimed at least 200,000 victims.

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

First Publish: 1/18/2010, 6:40 PM / Last Update: 1/18/2010, 6:36 PM

An additional IDF rescue and medical aid team is scheduled to depart to Haiti Monday night and will include Home Front Command Maj. Gen. Yair Golan, Director General of the Ministry of Health Dr. Eytan Chai-Am, and Surgeon General, Brig. Gen. Nachman Ash.

The delegation will deliver relief reinforcements that include medicine and additional equipment and will examine the needs of the IDF medical staff on the scene.

Photo: Dr. Ashton and Col. Kryce

Dr. Jennifer Lee Ashton, an American doctor working at a United Nations medical facility, is coordinating efforts with the Israeli Home Front Command and met on Sunday with IDF Field Hospital Commander, Col. Itzik Kryce. The field hospital established by the IDF is one of the most advanced and includes a medical lab, pharmacy and an x-ray center. Twenty-five life-saving surgeries and three births, one of which was the delivery of a 1.8 kilogram (4-pound) premature baby, have been carried out.

Nine American volunteers from Los Angeles joined the Israeli delegation in the field hospital on Monday in addition to the ongoing cooperation with United Nations forces and other search and rescue units in the disaster zone.

Two rescue crews led by the commanders of the Israeli Home Front Command Search and Rescue Unit are also operating in the disaster-stricken area in cooperation with local residents.